by Danica Avet
A soft hand on my cheek brings my attention back to Jolene and my heart fucking swells. Yeah, like it grows in size. Because while my friend is moving away, I have her in my life and I’m not letting her go.
And right now, I want to be inside her, hearing her make all the sweet sounds she does when I fuck her.
“Is it time for makeup sex?” I ask with a waggle of my eyebrows.
To my surprise, instead of giving me that sly, sexy grin of hers, Jolene frowns. “No. I’m upset with you,” she says, folding her arms over her chest.
There are about a hundred other things I thought she’d say.
Take me.
I love you.
Of course I’m yours forever.
Upset with you, was nowhere in that list.
I’m sure that since the beginning of time, men have had the same expression on their faces that I feel take over mine. Complete bafflement with a hint of terror. Because a woman scorned and all that, right? I’ve seen Mom put Dad through his paces when she was mad at him and I have no doubt Jolene, even as sweet as she is, would do the same.
“What? Why?”
The plush lips I could nibble on for hours turn down as she gives me a squinty look I recognize as one she probably picked up from Becca. “First off,” she says and all I can think is ‘Oh fuck’. “You lied to me when you said it was all over. I was perfectly happy with what Terrible did to Josef’s painting. All I wanted was for it to go away and that happened. Everything was fine. But you and the others humiliated him in front of all those people.” Her eyes narrow on me. “I’m a nice person, Levi Cracchiolo. I know what it’s like to be embarrassed and made fun of. I would never do that to anyone.”
Oh fuck, fuck. “Baby,” I say softly, wrapping my arms around her waist.
“No. I thought I could be okay with it because you were right about him needing to be taught a lesson, but I just keep seeing his expression. He was so upset, Levi.” Her eyes are serious and sad. “I know he was gonna do a lot worse to me just to see me humiliated, but I still can’t help but wish y’all hadn’t done that to him. Yes, he was wrong for that painting. Yes, he’s arrogant and proud of himself, thinks he’s better than everyone else and he can just treat people however he wants, but does he deserve to be mocked like that?” She shakes her head. “I don’t know, but I do know I’m not like that and neither are you.”
Ignoring the stiffness of her body, I curl myself into her, burrowing my face into the crook of her neck. She doesn’t relax right away, but it does happen. Her anger flaring hot and cooling just as quickly. God, this girl. She ties me in fucking knots and I don’t even mind because getting tangled up in her is the sweetest feeling I’ve ever experienced.
“You’re right,” I admit, lifting my head to stare into her eyes. She’s so beautiful, but it’s more than just her looks. “You wouldn’t be the girl I fell in love with if you didn’t care for people. Even that motherfucker who doesn’t deserve your kindness.” She sags against me, that sweet, loving look back in her eyes. “And maybe it was wrong of us to prank Josef, maybe we should’ve taken the mature path and turned the other cheek or some shit like that. But baby, you’re my girl. Whatever hurts you, hurts me, and I’ll do everything in my power to make it better. It might not be the way you want to fix things, it might not even be nice, but in the end, you’re all that matters to me. Your happiness matters more than anything else.”
By now, her face has gone all soft and gentle. “Levi,” she breathes, her arms coming around my waist.
“I love you, Jolene,” I whisper, brushing my lips against hers. The words I’ve been thinking about for… well, it’s been weeks, build up inside me. I try to keep it inside. We’ve only really been dating for a couple of months, but they feel right. Everything about her feels right. Perfect. So I just say it. “And one day I’m gonna marry you.”
At that, her legs buckle and I grab her to keep her from hitting the ground. “W-What?” she gasps as I swing her up into my arms.
Turning to put her on my bed, I study her clothes. They’re coming off soon. Want to make sure I figure out the quickest, easiest way to do that. “I’m gonna marry you one day,” I tell her absently, one of my hands sliding to the hem of her top. Good place to start. But I pause to look her in the eye. “We’re gonna get married and you’re gonna give me some daughters with blonde hair and blue eyes. I’m not gonna let them date until they’re thirty.” Because no fucking way. Then a thought occurs to me. “And you need to talk with Erika, make sure she knows to leave those nasty fucking boys alone until she’s at least twenty-one.” Then I really think about it. “Twenty-five,” I correct myself.
“Levi?” Jolene says my name on a gasp when I cup her breast in my palm, her nipple already hard.
“Yeah, baby?”
Her hand drifts between us, landing on the bulge pressing against my zipper. “I love you, but shut up,” she drawls. “It’s time for makeup sex.”
Fuck, yeah.
Jolene
In the near future . . .
The dress is gorgeous. Satin with panels of lace, it hugs the body before falling straight to the floor in a cascade of pure white. My heart beats wildly. I love the dress. Love. It. Just as much as I love the flowers and the colors chosen to decorate the reception hall.
The wedding cake? Like something out of a fairy tale. Six tiers of soft gray covered in pink and yellow roses, it’s the prettiest cake I’ve ever seen and I really can’t wait until I get a slice. The champagne fountain? Out of this world.
It’s the kind of wedding every girl dreams about. From the bridesmaids’ dresses to the dove gray tuxedos the groomsmen wear, it’s like stepping into a fantasy. Even the music is wonderful, the band, led by none other than Dr. Klauss, pouring out song after song that has the massive crowd of guests dancing.
Tapping my toe to the beat, I just revel in the beauty of the huge hall.
An arm slips around my waist and sinful lips whisper in my ear, “Ready to let me under those skirts?”
Maybe I shouldn’t have had three glasses from the fountain because instead of being embarrassed, I giggle and turn to face Levi. He’s absolutely gorgeous in his tuxedo, the light color emphasizing his dark skin and the breadth of his shoulders. Just looking at him makes my heart skip.
If it wouldn’t look silly, I’d pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. This man is mine. He loves me. It’s almost more than a girl can take.
“Baby,” he says when I just stare at him. “You okay?”
“I love you,” I blurt, because what else can I say? “I love you so much.”
His gaze goes hot and the smirk I adore curls his lips. “Love you too, baby.”
“Are you guys having fun?” a feminine voice asks and we turn to see Ms. Frost—now Mrs. Decker, approaching with her new husband.
“Frosty,” Levi says, reaching out to hug her. “Steady.” He shakes the big man’s hand. “Congratulations.”
Mrs. Decker beams, her face glowing with happiness. “Thank you! Also, thank you for filling in for Shaun’s missing groomsman.” She looks Levi over critically. “Doesn’t even look like the tux was a rush job.” Then she turns to me. “Jolene, thank you so much for letting me borrow him for the ceremony and pictures.”
“I don’t mind at all. The ceremony was beautiful,” I tell her with all honesty. “And I love, love your dress.”
Coach Steady’s arm goes around her waist, his handsome face soft with his feelings for his new wife. “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?”
Mrs. Decker blushes and swats at his arm, but she doesn’t move away from him. And she hasn’t from the moment they entered the hall an hour before.
“Have you decided if you’re going to hyphenate your name?” Levi ask, big hand splayed across my lower back. “Personally, I like Frost-n-Decker. Like Black and Decker.”
Mrs. Decker rolls her eyes. “Har-har,” she laughs, then her name’s called. “Oh, we have to go greet some of Shaun’s for
mer teammates, but I’ll check back on you guys later, okay? Please, enjoy yourselves!”
I watch her walk away, Coach Steady’s arm wrapped around her as though he’s holding something precious. Levi mimics that hold on me, cuddling me into his side.
Sighing softly, I just enjoy the moment. Life is so funny. A year ago, he ignored me because of his vow and I was mired in so much self-hatred, I never thought I could find someone like him. Now, we’re together and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
Levi’s love, his confidence in me, has made all the difference in the world. Do I still get maudlin after talking to Mama? Yes. She hasn’t changed at all, but Levi won’t let me dwell on her bitterness for long. He even encouraged me to reach out to my sisters, to build something with them. It hasn’t been the easiest thing to do, especially with Delia, but it has gotten better. And the other day, Jeanie-Marie told me she’s thinking about going to college, while Ruby claims she’s going to try out for band when school starts again. So maybe all of my troubles were for the best because I can give them the benefit of my trials and errors.
We’re not making strides as a family. More like baby steps, but when I feel depressed about it, Levi takes me to Moiselle Bayou to see his family. They’ve taught me a lot about what it means to love your relatives—flaws, petty arguments, and all. They’re also teaching me that my past means nothing in the grand scheme of things. It’s what you do with life’s experiences—good and bad—that determines what kind of present and future you have.
Levi kisses my temple, giving my waist a squeeze. “Wanna dance?”
Shaken out of my thoughts, I beam at him. “Of course!”
Did I mention that we also dance and play music together all the time? Most of the time it’s in his bedroom which means we usually end up making something completely different, although a lot more fun, but any time I’m in Levi’s arms is pure beauty to me.
The band brings the song to an end as we reach the dance floor. Dr. Klauss takes the mic as we wait for the next number to start. “Hey, I hope everyone’s having a good time. We’ll be taking a break after this next song which is a request from one of my students dedicated to another student.” I watch as his gaze goes over the crowd before stopping on us. His grin is a little wider than usual and his cheeks flushed. Apparently he’s been enjoying the champagne fountain too. “I like to think I had a hand in bringing these two together. They’re two of the most talented musicians at Sauvage and they fell in love during Jazz Ensemble.” People are starting to look at us and my cheeks start to burn. “So here’s to Jolene from Levi.”
My heart jumps just as the melody of a piano and trumpet start playing. Levi takes me into his arms. We start to dance to Art Neville’s “All These Things”. It’s beautiful, but nothing will ever compare to his husky voice singing the sweetest, most loving lyrics. To me.
As I stare up at him, letting the song sink into my bones, I see a long life of happiness with him. Arguing, dancing, playing music, and loving each other. I want to give him those daughters he wants and sons I want. With Levi “Crash” Cracchiolo, I want it all. And for the first time in my life, I really do think I can have it.
Because I have him.
The End
(In no particular order)
Dolly Parton “Jolene”
Johnny Cash “Delia’s Gone”
Bobby Bare “Tequila Sheila”
Otis Redding “Try A Little Tenderness”
Jo-el Sonnier “Jolie Blon”
Dizzy Gillespie “Salt Peanuts”
Tommy Overstreet “(Jeanie Marie) You Were A Lady”
Aldus Roger “Creole Stomp”
Kenny Rogers “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town”
Kenny Rogers “Lucille”
King Oliver’s Jazz Band “High Society Rag”
Rod Stewart “Maggie Mae”
Art Neville “All These Things”
Frank Ticheli “Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs No. 4 Simple Gifts”
Louis Armstrong “St. James Infirmary”
Frank Ticheli “Sun Dance”
Cookie & His Cupcakes “Got You On My Mind”
Touchet Brothers “Jolie Fille”
Louis Armstrong “West End Blues”
Freddie Hubbard “Up Jumped Spring”
T’Monde “She’s Gone Gone”
I thought I’d try something a little different this time around and give some background on the story.
Originally, Crash was supposed to end up with Kimber. I know, shocking, right? Kimber has been really pushing for her story to be written, but no matter how I tried to get her together with Crash, they didn’t click. Then I realized Jolene was in the wings, unhappy in her relationship with Josef. She needed someone who would push her to be the best musician she could be and Crash, being such a lover of music—and girls—was the perfect fit.
Don’t worry though, Kimber will find her hero.
I used a lot of creative license for this book. I am not, and never have been, part of the beauty pageant circuit. Whether parents use sex to get their children preferential treatment or not isn’t something I can confirm or deny. With that in mind, it’s well-known that sex has been used as currency and a bartering tool throughout history. So I decided to use that to drive home Jolene’s rough background. No offense was intended to the contestants or their parents.
The Moiselle Bayou parade is very loosely based on a small community in Louisiana called Gheens. When I was in college, I had a friend who invited me to his parents’ house which was on the parade route and ended up having the best time of my life. Golf carts, people hanging out and eating in their front yards, the guys on four-wheelers coming through the crowds to ‘beat the demons’ out of the kids, all of that happened. I’m not sure if it still does or not, but it was a lot of fun and if you ever get the chance to come to south Louisiana for Mardi Gras, I highly recommend trying to make it to the smaller communities for their parades.
For those of you who are a little confused by the Cajun French terms used, here they are again:
Garde voir le beau fille - Look at that beautiful girl.
T’es bien-élevé - She is well-raised; polite.
Courtiser - To court romantically; to woo.
Boucherie - Butchering. Usually turns into something like a party with everyone contributing to the meal. Historically, it was a way for people to help each other get ready for winter.
Grattons - Cracklins. During the parade I attended, these were made fresh and just tossed on a table for people to graze on.
I’ll admit, I was a little worried about this playboy hooking up with a sweet girl like Jolene, but he surprised me with how honorable and loving he turned out to be. Hopefully y’all fell in love with him the same way I did while writing him.
Danica Avet was born and raised in the wilds of South Louisiana where mosquitoes are big enough to carry off small children and there are only two seasons: hot and hotter. With a BA in History, she figured there were enough fry cooks in the world and decided to try her hand at writing.
Writing is how she gives the voices in her head a way out. They speak to her constantly wanting their stories told and she does her best to accommodate them.When she isn’t writing, working, or contemplating the complexities of the universe, she spends time gathering inspiration from her insane family, reads far more than any sane person would want to, and watches hot burly men chase an oblong ball all over a field.
Website: www.danicaavet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Danica-Avet-Writer-108148517161/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanicaAvet
Contemporary Romance
Crushes to Cravings series:
Freeze Tag
Playing Doctor
Kiss Chase
Southern Sin Trilogy:
Sweetest Taste of Sin
Born to Sin
Sinning to Win
Band Nerd series:
Steady
Root
Crash
Paranormal Romance
Olympus, Inc.:
Immortal Love
Immortal Game
The Veil series:
Ruby: Uncut and on the Loose
Succubus-in-Waiting
Lifestyles of the Fey and Dangerous
Ain’t No Bull
Reindeer Games series:
Rude’s Awakening
Blitzen’s Savior
Cajun Heat series:
Primal Song
Primal Design
Sci-Fi Erotic Romance
Caressed by Starlight:
Meeting Croe
Adding Tyn
